Renovation Series: Pre-Renovation Interlude

In this early-stage interlude of the More For LES Renovation Series, we look at an important part of the renovation process that happens before any construction begins: using the time between contract, closing, and the start of work to prepare for what comes next.

There can be a long stretch between going into contract on a New York City apartment and actually beginning a renovation. We look at how that time can be used to select an architect, think through how you want to live in the space, and begin the design and visualization process before construction can get underway.

In our case, the existing three-bedroom layout didn’t work particularly well for how we wanted to use the apartment. We wanted a more open home, with more of the apartment’s natural light reaching the living spaces where we spend our time, while keeping the bedrooms comfortable and functional.

Because we already knew our architect and had worked together before, we were able to get an early start — sharing how we wanted to live in the apartment and beginning to translate those ideas into a new layout while we were still working toward closing.

That preparation can also help compress the renovation timeline once work can begin, reducing the period in which you may be carrying both your existing home and the property being renovated.

For more Lower East Side real estate insights, articles, guides, tools, and trusted local service professionals, visit More For LES, and stay tuned for the next episode of the Renovation Series.

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More For LES video shorts take you inside the Lower East Side—exploring its properties, people, and places through brief, on-the-ground tours. Equal parts insightful and entertaining, the series captures both the standout moments and the everyday details that make the neighborhood a uniquely compelling place to live.

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